Tru-Cape Eselfontein Festival raises R100, 000 for local charities.

Pieter Carstens (Left) and Flippie Jordaan rode the Tru-Cape Eselfontein MTB in Tru-Cape colours.

Although the Tru-Cape Eselfontein MTB Festival is the least costly of all Ceres events to enter, it has successfully raised R100, 000 for local Ceres charities.

Fifth-generation Eselfontein owners and Tru-Cape growers Deon and Janene Malherbe hold this annual event to contribute much needed funds  to their community. “Schools get 30% of every entry fee”, Janene explains, which will also be shared with homes Maudie Kriel, Ceres Tuiste and Peter Strauss for the aged. Deon says that the Ceres schools supported include Charlie Hofmeyr, Gericke Primary School, and FD Conradie Primary in Prince Alfred Hamlet.

In the mixed category Sean Stack and Tarryn Povey came first competing as team Sexy Niners in a total time for the three stages of 8h35.40

The winning female team, The BikeHub 1 made up of Joanna Dobinson and Maria Meija achieved the three stages in 9h35.23 while GetawayMTB2 of Joel Schaefer and Ryan Lenferna made the three stages in the quickest time of 7h20.31.

Next year’s event will be between October 13 and 15. The Tru-Cape Eselfontein Festival includes a three-stage Mountain Bike event and Trail Run which begins with a 40km day/night challenge at 18h00 on Friday. Routes on Saturday, include the 60km MTB kicking off at 07h00 as well as a 21km trail run and 10km fun run/walk.